Liza Doolittle, in the play My Fair Lady, dreamed of a wonderful life of eating chocolate daily.  Marketers update this fantasy by promoting freedom from coronary heart disease and controlling weight by consuming this delicacy on a daily basis.  They draw from positive, yet observational studies that point to cardiovascular health benefits.  In the British Journal of Medicine (August 2010) researchers analyzed seven studies, which included over 100,000 people.  Conclusions were drawn showing a 37% lower risk of heart disease in those who ate the most chocolate as compared to those, in the study that ate the least amount of chocolate.  Also they were 29% less likely to die from stroke.  In other studies chocolate has been shown to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, decrease insulin resistance, reduce platelet aggregation and improve coronary flow velocity.

Although these observational studies do not address the cause of the results, we can make our own speculation by studying the components of cocoa (Theobroma cacao). This herb has polyphenol compounds which contribute to its cardiovascular actions.  The flavonoids increase the production of nitric oxide, which calms and dilates blood vessels.  The effects of anti- oxidants reduce oxidative stress.  Intracellular calcium increases, endothelial estrogen receptors are activated, and endothelial progenitor cells increase resulting in activation of repair mechanisms for damaged vascular tissue.

There are many studies that contradict the referenced studies.  Some of these contradictions occur as a result of the processing.  Manufacturers know that Americans do not like the taste of bitter so their main objective is to remove bitter compounds.  The problem is that most medicinal compounds are bitter, as are flavonoids.  So with the success of processing out the bitter, these companies eliminate all health aspects of cocoa.

Additional facts: 

•     Generally dark chocolate has more flavonoids than milk chocolate.
•     Do not be fooled by cocoa content (70% etc.) it depends on the processing.
•     Do not worry about the saturated fat content of pure chocolate; the cocoa butter is mainly stearic acid which has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol.
•     Milk chocolate depends on added milk fats which are not good for your heart.
•     Cocoa powder has the most flavonoids unless it is “Dutch” cocoa which has gone through an alkali process that destroys these beneficial compounds.
•     Adding milk to cocoa blocks the absorption of the flavonoids.
•     Dark chocolate has about 20 milligrams of caffeine per ounce.
•     Chocolate liquor is neither liquid nor alcoholic, it refers to its’ cocoa content (half cocoa solids and half cocoa butter).
•     White chocolate has no cocoa, consisting of flavorings, sweeteners and the cocoa butter content (which allows it to be called chocolate) usually has been “deodorized” to remove any bitter flavor (medicinal compounds).

When you find the purest, most medicinal yet tasty chocolate, keep in mind that it is not a food but is a treat that is healthy.  Rely on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are all high in flavonoids and are the main foods we should be eating.

David Christopher is a Master Herbalist and the director of The School of Natural Healing. David also co-hosts the popular radio show “A Healthier You” and is a popular international teacher and lecturer.  

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Have you ever been unable to breathe well? What a desperate feeling! What an equally helpless and panicky feeling to watch as a small child or other loved one struggles to get breath to sustain life.
If you know what I am talking about you have probably been through the conventional route of treatments. Antibiotics, possibly inhalers, maybe even oral steroids like cortisone. Some people may wonder what is wrong with these conventional treatments.

Before getting into the natural herbal treatment of bronchitis, consider the regular drug treatments that are given. Medical textbooks say that you will find inflammation of the bronchial walls and/or spasm of the muscles surrounding the bronchioles when bronchitis is occurring. These can be brought about by infection or irritation to the area.

When we use antibiotics, we treat bacterial infection. If there is viral infection then antibiotics do no good at all. An antibiotic will not kill a virus. The antibiotic will also be useless if the bronchitis is due to an irritation - either chemical or allergic. Even if the condition starts with a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is not effective in getting rid of the inflammation or bronchial constriction. The only positive action of an antibiotic is to kill bacteria. Their side effects can range from mild digestive distress such a diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting to fungal infections, kidney damage, deafness, and even fatal anaphylactic shock. They are Russian roulette in a pill. I personally will not take them unless there is absolutely no other effective remedy for a situation. I have not found that situation yet.

Inhalers can be helpful as a temporary crutch in some types of bronchitis. They can contain a drug that relaxes the muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes or a drug that reduces the swelling in the wall in the bronchial tubes. They also have side effects including increased blood pressure, nervousness, tremors, headache, bronchospasm, anaphylactic shock, oral thrush infection, and weakening of the muscles of the larynx. These are only a few of the problems reported. Among all drug treatments for bronchitis, these are the least harmful.
Oral steroids such as cortisone are drugs that treat only the inflammation (swelling) in the walls of the bronchial tubes. They do not do away with the cause of the swelling.  The side effects of these drugs would take a couple of pages. Among them are suppression of our own natural steroid production, disruption of the menstrual cycle, worsening of diabetes, acne, weight gain, fragile skin, depression, insomnia, osteoporosis leading to bone fractures, and so forth. In short, they can possibly ruin your health. There must be a better way!
I am so relieved that there IS a better way. One of the best remedies of which I am aware is a tea made from a combination of Mullein and Lobelia in a 3:1 ratio. When you hear this story, you will be able to understand my gratitude to our Creator for these herbs.
A few months ago I found out that my little grandson - going on three- had been sick with bronchitis for at least three weeks. Two rounds of antibiotics later he was still suffering. Mama and Papa were getting very little sleep as he struggled to get his breath. Brothers and sisters were irritable because they weren’t sleeping well either. My grandson looked bad. When I found out about this, I immediately went out to the farm and educated Mama on how to use these herbs. She did it. A tea of these herbs was made and applied to the chest. When I followed up with a phone call the next day I was told that he was breathing easily and all had slept better!

I hope that this makes life better for someone you love.

Jim Spalding is a Master Herbalist graduate of The School of Natural Healing. Speaking, writing, and individually teaching have become his way of advancing the health of this country. For questions and other help, contact can be made through his web site athttp://natural-healingwithherbs.com/.

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There appears to be a reawakening to cultured and fermented foods. In the past, many people used fermentation to preserve food. Now we are recognizing the great health benefits that come from cultured and fermented foods. These types of foods contain the probiotics that the body uses to aid in digesting proteins and fats more efficiently. They improve the nutritional quality of food, protect us from disease causing organisms (like Candida Albicans) and they boost the immune system. These foods also create an environment that is inhospitable for pathogenic microorganisms (disease causing). Dr. Christopher was well aware that digestion is the foundation of health - that is why he recommended using vinegar in your daily regimen.

A vinegar-like drink that is re-emerging in popularity is Kombucha. The history of Kombucha is legendarily reported back to 220 BC by the Qin Dynasty for a Chinese emperor to use as an elixir. From there it spread throughout Asia. It is purported that in 414 AD a Korean named Dr. Kombu brought this famous tonic to an emperor in Japan and this is where the name was coined. Kombu for the doctor and cha is the Chinese name for tea. Kombu + cha = Kombucha. It has also been said that a “vinegary beverage” was carried into battle by Japanese warriors.

In China traditionally the grandmother cared for the “culture” and then it was passed down from mother to daughter. From China this tradition was spread to Russia and ultimately all of Europe until World War II where rationing made it difficult to find sugar and tea.

Like vinegar, Kombucha uses the same type of “mother” in the fermenting process. The “mother” also known as “culture”, “mushroom” or “baby”, is the colony of bacteria and yeast that works in harmony to convert the nutrient solution into Kombucha. An easy acronym for this culture is SCOBY.

SCOBY=
Symbiotic
Culture
Of
Bacteria &
Yeast

What makes Kombucha different from vinegar is the nutrient solution in which it is brewed. Vinegar uses apple cider where Kombucha uses sweet tea, specifically tea from the plant Comellia sinensis. All black, white, green, and oolong teas derive from the same plant. It is how they are processed that makes them different. The most common teas used in Kombucha are black and green teas. The reason for this is that many “teas” do not contain what Kombucha needs to brew successfully over time. Some plants that are used in herbal infusions lack the necessary nutrients the culture feeds on in the transformation process. Without some Comellia sinensis in the brew, the Scoby may be harmed by the essential oils in the plant and it will retard the fermentation process and therefore stop the healthful benefits. 

The magic of the fermentation process between the tea and the Scoby is that vitamins and enzymes are produced that weren’t there before. Fermentation helps the poly-phenols, tannins, and antioxidants found in the tea to become more bio available (easier for the body to absorb and use).

There has been concern over the possible alcohol and caffeine content of Kombucha, as well as the sugar that is used to make the sweet tea (nutrient solution you add to the Scoby to make Kombucha). The sugar and compounds of the tea are digested by yeast and bacteria in the fermentation process. This is fuel for the Scoby. 

In the book Kombucha by Christopher Hobbs, an instructor for the School of Natural Healing, he states “A cup of Kombucha tea (5 oz.) contains up to 5 mg. of caffeine. A strong cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine. So it is not a significant source of caffeine. Kombucha tea can contain ethyl alcohol ranging from 0.4 to 1.5%, but rarely over 1%. This is a very small amount. Many beverages, even apple juice, contain minute amounts of alcohol.” 

Kombucha, for many, is a healthier alternative to soft drinks and gives a person another choice when it comes to a fermented beverage other than vinegar. This drink is a good source of probiotics and enzymes for healthy digestion and it also produces various B vitamins, even B12, and healthy amino acids.  Components of the basic brew are: Nutrient Solution (Sweet tea) + Starter Liquid (start from already brewed batch) + SCOBY + Time = Kombucha 

For more information on the constituents found in Kombucha and detailed instructions on brewing, you can purchase the book Kombucha by Christopher Hobbs from Christopher Publications. There are only a limited number of books on hand (the book is out of print) so it cannot be purchased online. To order call 888-489-0155

Mishelle Knuteson is certified in Rapid Eye Technology (RET) an emotional release therapy, teaches classes in The Art of Feminine Presence and a Master Herbalist ~ graduate of The School of Natural Healing. Mishelle currently works as an Educative Master Herbalist (MH) for The School of Natural Healing and as Office Manager of Christopher Publications.

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This time of year is a great time to make a plan to develop better habits and put into practice the things that will enrich your life. In our home we think of goals we want to achieve in the New Year, some call them New Year’s Resolutions. But we often change the question and instead of asking “What goals do you want to set?” or “What did you write down for your New Year’s Resolutions?” we ask “What A.R.E. you going to do to ENERGIZE your life?”  ENERGIZE means to activate and give more life, just saying the word gives me energy! Here are 3 steps to energize your life today!

(A)ctivity- Physical activity helps our health in all areas; physical, mental, spiritual, and social. The benefits are extensive and include; longer life, improved memory, new brain cell development, lowers blood pressure, helps in prevention and control of diabetes, strengthens your heart, antidepressant, strengthens bones and muscles, reduces anxiety, increases self-esteem, reduces risk of developing and /or dying from heart disease, and helps you to sleep better at night. So what activity are you doing today? Starting is easier than you think because there is a beginning level for everyone.  Just 5 minutes a day can make a huge difference. This should be enjoyable, so jump up and down or put on some fun music and dance your heart out for a few minutes, use a cellerciser, or take the dog for a walk in the fresh air. It might be a new practice you are creating but it won’t take long before it is a healthy habit, so start today! Boost your energy and better your health. ENERGIZE your life! Let those happy cells come to life.

(R)est- Sleep is needed so our minds can process life, our bodies can repair and our organs rejuvenate. Resting helps keep your heart healthy, reduces stress and inflammation, and of course ENERGIZES your life! Need hints on sleeping better? How consistent is your “before bed” routine? Remember those things we were told to do before bed as children? They are the same things we tell our children each night. Go to the bathroom, brush and floss your teeth, say your prayers, and read a story (something relaxing). In our house we also make sure we don’t talk about stressful/sensitive subjects just before going to bed. It’s also helpful to talk about happy events of the day or of the past or write them in a journal. You could also write positive affirmations or a positive self-talk paper that can be read before going to bed. It could include “I am sleeping through the night from 10pm-6am” or “I will wake up refreshed and well rested”. Listening to relaxing, uplifting music can be very beneficial as well. This can all be done in about 15 minutes and that’s a lot less time than lying in bed just hoping to fall asleep. Write down your routine today and follow it each night until it becomes a beneficial practice in your life.

(E)ating- Food is so vital for energizing our bodies! The old adage is true “We are what we eat”. Are we eating live food that gives us life? I hope so! Our busy lives make the variety of readily available, pre-made “fast food” very appealing.  But, the drive through is the last place we should be looking if we want to ENERGIZE our bodies. The fastest and healthiest food there is, is fresh and whole from nature, food that is ready to eat with very little preparation or hassle. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be washed and/or cut quickly and ahead of time for a quick meal or snack every day of the week. Add a handful of nuts or seeds to help satisfy hunger and add a protein packed punch. Even in this cooler weather there are many fruits and vegetables available. Apples, oranges, tangerines, bananas, berries, pineapple, kiwi and mangoes would make a delicious addition to any combination of lettuce and sprouts for a healthy salad. Mix it up for a change of taste and texture. Also, experiment with time saving meals such as a low heated pot of soup for dinner that can be put in a thermos for lunches. Think seasonally, there are all kinds of squash, onions, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes to make a different soup each time.

So what A.R.E. you going to do to ENERGIZE and enjoy your life today?

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by David Christopher M.H.

Those of us reading this newsletter know that we should make healthy changes to our diet.  The hard part is knowing how to make these changes.  Perhaps it would help to know why we eat the way we do, not as an excuse for staying the same but as a guide to improve our well-being.

All herbivores and omnivores have an attraction to sweetness because it indicates high caloric and vitamin content of the food.  To be physically active we need energy and calories provide this energy.  This is not a “lose-lose” scenario.  Eating sweet foods is natural and necessary. But in this scenario the sweets we eat should be natural, in their whole fresh state, nothing added and nothing taken away.  Fresh fruit satisfies this necessity. 

Herbivores are supplied these sweet calories with grass (just notice the extreme sweetness of wheat grass juice).  If we have indulged in highly processed sweet “foods”, and have developed an “addiction” to this highly advertised merchandise then a remedy of barberry root extract, or any other extremely bitter herb is recommended.  The extreme bitter taste seems to counter the desire for sweetness.

The taste of bitter is normally disliked by people.  This may have roots in our hunter/gatherer days, when the taste of bitter was a warning.  Poisonous plants are acrid and the closest taste to acrid is bitter.  Medicinal plants tend to be bitter so when we are sick we have a better tolerance for this taste, perhaps even a craving.  Cravings for bitter coffee and beer may be an attempt, by the body, to obtain a remedy for healing.

Unlike fruits, vegetables are not as sweet and do not provide many calories, which makes them the best foods to help lose weight.  Vegetables are the best source for vitamins, minerals and other healing compounds which have bitter tastes. It is generally the slight bitterness of vegetables that cause their rejection at meals.  Flavorful herbs and spices, salt sparingly, and the richness of oils help counter the disagreeable taste that most Americans have for vegetables.

Correct food choices start at conception.  When soon to be moms eat nutritious foods during pregnancy, the child will be more prone to eat those nutritious foods as well.  The flavor and odors of what mothers eat are present in the amniotic fluid, which is swallowed by the fetus (they are also found in breast milk).  Fetal taste buds are mature at 13 weeks and taste receptor cells are functioning at 16 weeks.  This phenomenon is evident with American couples who adopt Asian babies. Even though these babies have no exposure to Asian foods they are attracted to the flavors of the food their biological mothers consumed while carrying them.

Adults and older children can change their food preferences by consistently eating these nutritious foods.  One of the ways of introducing these more bitter vegetables is to slightly sweeten them and then gradually reduce the sweeteners.

The next step to healthy eating is making sure that at least 50% of all food consumed is raw.  There are several “Non-Cook” books available to guide us in preparing these healthy raw additions. Melissa Chappells book, “Faves” is full of delicious raw recipes and is the newest addition to the excellent books published by Dr. Christopher Publications. 

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Are you feeling the after holiday guilt from overeating, lack of exercise, and maybe eating things not as healthy as you should? How would you like to guarantee a good night sleep every night, be your perfect weight, and have more energy? Our bodies are designed to work best when we are physically active. Now is a great time to evaluate your exercise and nutrition habits. Only about 12% of Americans report exercising vigorously for more than 20 minutes, three times per week and the actual number is reported closer to 3%.

A few benefits of exercise include: cancer prevention, improves cognitive function, helps to overcome the negative effects of a poor diet, promotes the creation of new nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, enhances the entire nervous system’s plasticity (helping to prevent injuries to the body), has a protective effect on the brain as people age, has positive effect on mental health especially with fighting depression and anxiety.

There are three types of exercise the body needs; Cardiorespiratory, Strength Training (Muscular Strength & Endurance), and Flexibility Training.

Cardio-respiratory Exercise, involves continuous, rhythmic movements of large-muscle groups, such as rebounding (cellersizer), walking, jogging, biking, aerobics, dancing and hiking. Benefits include: the heart pumps more blood per beat, slower resting heart rate, volume of blood increases, tissues receive more blood, the bodies temperature regulates better, blood pressure decreases, improvement in the body’s chemical systems (mainly in the liver and in the muscles). A healthy heart endures stress, emergencies and the wear and tear of life. This needs to be done 3-5 days a week.

Strength Training, sometimes called weight training or resistance training decreases the risk of osteoporosis and maintains muscle mass and function. This greatly improves the quality of life and prevents injuries. Muscular Strength uses the amount of force a muscle can produce in a single effort. Strong muscles are critical for everyday life, such as climbing stairs. Strong muscles help to keep the spine in proper alignment, preventing leg and back pain, and maintaining support for good posture. Muscular Endurance is teaching a muscle to hold a contraction and resist fatigue. This is critical for good posture and injury prevention especially to the back. Sign up for a class or check with your local gym to teach you the basics to avoid injury first. After you learn the basics you can do it at home. This needs to be done 2-3 nonconsecutive days per week using all the major muscle groups. Examples are bicep curls, abdominal curls, push-ups, and bench presses.

Flexibility Training, is teaching the body to have the ability to move the joints through their full range of motion. Pain free, flexible joints are important to good health and lifestyle. Inactivity causes us to become stiff and inflexible as we age. Stiffness leads to improper posture that can stress muscles and joints. An example of a great flexibility program is yoga. Flexibility exercises can be done daily and should be done at least 2-3 days per week exercising all the major joints.

Most importantly, find something to move your body that is fun and that you enjoy. Think of it as play time! Be creative, change things around, maybe invite a friend, but be consistent and maintain a healthy habit!

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An important part of Dr. Christopher’s Incurables Program is the sunbath.  He recommended that you “take a sunbath each day in the nude and not through glass but in the direct sun.”  There are two types of ultraviolet light from the sun, UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are longer and penetrate deep into the skin to produce a dark tan. When in the sun too long they cause wrinkles and sun spots.  UVB rays are shorter and cause the skin to burn. They are also the only rays that make vitamin D. Vitamin D is actually a steroid and is a powerful antioxidant.  It is an important nutrient in preventing cancer including skin cancers. It is important for proper immune function and to prevent autoimmune diseases.  It helps with proper brain function, diabetes prevention and is needed for absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

“Only allow two minutes on the front and two minutes on the back the first day. Then add two minutes front and back each day, but no more.”  You should never stay in the sun long enough to get burned.  The body stops making vitamin D once the skin starts to turn pink. When SPF sunscreen is applied it stops vitamin D production and may make you more susceptible to some skin cancers. 

“The sun is the world’s greatest doctor but must be used by building up the exposed time in the sun gradually so as to not burn.”  The best time for vitamin D production from the sun is 11:00 am until 1:00 pm or when the sun is the brightest.  That is when the UVBs are most direct.  They are not as effective when they come in at an angle and they are easily filtered out by smog, pollution, fog, clouds and windows.

“If it is a cloudy or cold day, use a sunlamp, but do not allow a burn.” The best source for vitamin D is from   natural sunlight, but in the winter, it is not possible to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from the sun. Sunlamps or tanning beds are another option and some provide both UVA and UVB rays for vitamin D production.

Most salon tanning beds are calibrated to produce about 95% UVA light, but there are some that will produce both UVA and UVB rays.  The same caution should be used with a tanning bed as with sun exposure and they can safely produce vitamin D in the winter months. Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University has shown that vitamin D produced by UVB radiation from a tanning bed maintains longer lasting and more consistent levels of vitamin D than taking vitamin D supplements.  Dermatologists have found that tanning makes the skin give off endorphin’s  which improve feelings of well-being and make you feel happier.

Sources: Herbal Home Health Care by Dr. John R. Christopher

Primal Body, Primal Mind by Nora T. Gedgaudas, CNS, CNT

Baby Boomer Diet by Donna Gates

Mercola.com/Tanning-Bed

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I have been very blessed these past few months to be an apprentice to my yoga teacher learning a healing therapy called Thai Yoga Massage. The origins of Thai massage can be traced back 2500 years to India. At this time the Thai Buddhist temple was an operation center for the health care of the common people. The walls of the temples bear epigraphs depicting the sen, the body’s energy line network. There are also various stone-carved statues eloquently holding Thai massage postures outside the temples.

Thai Yoga Massage is performed on the floor in loose, comfortable clothing. When a person receives a Thai Yoga Massage they also receive the benefits of practicing yoga. A Thai Yoga Massage session incorporates martial arts moves, rhythmic motion, palming and thumbing along energy lines, gentle stretching and breath work. A session not only stretches and tones the muscles, Thai Yoga Massage also improves circulation, relieves muscular tension and spasm, helps expedite metabolism, boosts the immune system, and balances the body energetically, inducing a calm mental state.  The recipient receives both a physical and an energetic massage.

The practitioner and the recipient perform a series of yoga positions that creates what many call a graceful or flowing “dance”. The practitioner uses his/her hands, feet, arms and legs to gently guide the recipient into various yoga positions. The practitioner works from a meditative state of metta (loving kindness) while moving in a rhythmic flow, transitioning from one posture to the next. There is a strong emphasis on safety and on using the least amount of effort to achieve the maximum results.

The systems of the body stagnate when they are not pumped, stretched or worked out. The body systems that are helped through Thai Yoga Massage are the skeletal, circulatory, muscular and nervous systems.

Skeletal System - The human being is the only animal that walks erect. Keeping this upright position puts a lot of pressure on the spine. The spine is designed to perform six distinct movements which are incorporated into the Thai Yoga Massage session: flexion and extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left and right rotation. Stretching the spine increases the space between the vertebrae and allows the fluids to circulate more effectively.

Circulatory System - The compression touch of palming (pressing on the marmas; pressure points or energy centers) and thumbing (tracing the sen lines; energy lines of the body’s organs) in Thai Yoga Massage acts as an assisting pump to the heart. This stimulates blood flow without causing any strain to the heart. The pressing and pulling of the extremities also stimulates circulatory pathways.

Muscular System - Muscles work on a “relax and contract” system. The muscle in action (an agonist) is balanced by the work of a muscle stretching in the opposite direction (the antagonist). The stretching and messaging in a Thai Yoga Message session activates the circulation of blood which will in turn increase the muscular relaxation and elasticity which effects the mobilization of the muscle. 

Nervous System - The nervous system breaks down into two categories; the autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary action, and the somatic system which guides sensation and movement. Further breakdown of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic system, nerves that calm the body, and the sympathetic system, nerves that prepare the body for action. Thai Yoga Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which helps to lower the pulse, slow the breath and relax the body.

A short example of how Thai Yoga Massage has helped clients of my yoga instructor: She was on a trek with several youth. One young girl twisted her knee during the hike. By the end of the day her knee was swollen and it was painful for this young lady to walk. After just 15 minutes of palming and running the sen lines, the young girl felt better and by night fall she was running around with the rest of the group. In the morning her knee had swollen up a little yet the pain was gone. Another 15 minute session allowed her to hike all day with the rest of the group. There are numerous similar stories but not enough room to share them with you! 

My husband has been my willing recipient as I have been practicing the techniques of Thai Yoga Massage. He has two bad knees that affect his mobility from time to time. So far he is loving the results that he is getting through the sessions. We are hoping that with continued therapy he will recover faster from muscle stiffness and joint pain following racquetball games as well as enjoying greater flexibility in his daily life.

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For millenniums people have practiced interventive dentistry starting with tooth pulling, wooden and metal replacements, mercury compounded fillings, root canals, and th

e one attempt at prevention, fluoride, which ends up destroying the very enamel it was supposed to protect.  Do modern dentists fulfill a useful purpose today?  Absolutely, they are wonderful technicians and save people from a lot of suffering.  However we need to ask, is there something better?  Of Course there is something better!

To find true health for our teeth we need to look at the facts.  Humans and their pets get tooth decay, all other animals do not.  You will not find tooth decay in nature.  You will not find gorillas, wolves and lions, out in the wild, flossing and brushing their teeth!  Nor do you see them crowded in dental waiting rooms, waiting for treatment.  Yet they keep all their teeth until they die.  While their counter parts, our cats and dogs, have the same diseases that we have, including dental disease.

Knowing this important fact, we now need to examine the differences between us and gorillas, and our pets and their wild counterparts.  The main difference is obvious.  Gorillas and other animals in nature have never been spotted sitting around campfires cooking hot dogs and marshmallows and washing down their S’mores with colas and other sugary beverages. Yes, dental health is all about environment.  We have developed an environment where our dental health has deteriorated over centuries and continues to deteriorate currently.

In comparing our situation and the reality of nature, we can observe that wild animals eat their food raw while we “civilized animals” eat our food cooked (processed).  If wild animals get food stuck between their teeth, the enzymes, inherent in all food, breaks it down.  Enzymes are destroyed, starting at 118 degrees and are non-existent after exposure to temperatures above 140.  To illustrate the importance of enzymes, let me relate my own observations with those who live vegetarian lifestyles who also suffer multiple cavities.  Vegetarians can eat fresh raw apples, every day of their lives, and these raw apples will never cause decay.  Yet if they eat a lot of dried apples it can rot their teeth out.  It is interesting to note that even though dried apples are not cooked, and retain their enzymes; these enzymes are inactivated when dried, because they require a watery environment to function.  Therefore the concentrated sugar from the apple stuck between the teeth causes tooth decay.

So, if we have blown it by not practicing prevention and we now have cavities, are there natural treatments?  Of course there are and they have been around for centuries.  Since they are “alternative” and not promoted by the current system, they are not well known.   Let me relate my personal preference for a natural program to deal with cavities.

• First, stop feeding the bacteria.  No sugar, white flour or dairy, this is the minimal you can do.  The optimal is no refined food.
• Then, remove the offending bacteria.  This is accomplished by flossing and then brushing with Dr. Christopher’s tooth powder (all tooth pastes are counter- productive).
• Next thoroughly rinse with water, and then orally take one spoonful of a good quality olive oil or coconut oil.  Swish this oil between the teeth around the mouth and gums for 10 minutes.  Do not swallow this oil, for it is attracting the bacteria in the mouth and cavities, which become trapped in it.  Spit this out into a lined waste basket rather than in the sink as to not clog the plumbing.
• Then orally take two droppers full of Dr. Christopher’s X-Ceptic extract and swish it between the teeth for three minutes and then swallow it.
• Next stretch out a cotton ball and soak it in X-Ceptic extract, which is then placed between the gum and cheeks.  This is left in until the next time you eat.  After eating, the entire procedure is repeated.

When the bacteria are destroyed, the pain is greatly diminished.  To totally be free of pain, the damage caused by the bacteria needs to be repaired, including the rebuilding of tooth and enamel.  This is accomplished with consuming one quart per day of Dr. Christopher’s BF&C bulk herb decoction.  It should be sipped and swished throughout the day.
Many clients have reported back with successful experiences using this routine.  I personally have experienced tremendous reduction of tooth pain, and have witnessed the miraculous repair of bacteria caused cavities.  

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We want you to know of our wonderful website that many of our readers are unaware of - Herballegacy.com. This site has a list of Dr. Christopher’s formulas, a list of ailments and programs to help with those ailments, single herbs, recipes, herbal education information and more. I’m going to walk you through the site to help you find the information you’re looking for

Some easy ways of accessing the site:

1. At the bottom of your newsletter there is a section of Herbal Resource Links. Click on the second link that says “Herbal Legacy.”
2. Go to www.schoolofnaturalhealing.com On the left hand side in blue click on “Herbal Reference Links”, and then click on the “Herbal Legacy” link.
3. Type www.herballegacy.com into your browser bar.

Home page
We get many calls where readers want to give information from the newsletter to their family and friends. This is where you can direct them to sign up for the newsletter. They only need to type in their first name and email address, then click the submit button.

Tabs on the site:

1. Articles - Here is a list of previous newsletters with their name and the date the article came out. There are articles for everything from “Natural Protocol for systemic Yeast overgrowth & leaky gut syndrome” on May 5, 2010 to “Preparing a fomentation for injuries” on March 30, 2011 and everything in between.
2. Dr. Christopher formulas - Click here for a list of Dr. Christopher’s original formulas and the herbs in them.  Some let you know what each herb in that product does, and some will tell how many parts of the herb is contained in the product. It also tells different ways to use the products and testimonials of people who have used them and their results.
3. Ailment & Programs - Here you can learn about the difference between the 3 day juice cleanse,  the extended cleanse program, the incurables program, as well as a list of ailments from A-Z and the way Dr. Christopher taught how to take care of that problem.
4. Single Herbs - We have place School of Natural Healing graduates Thesis papers here so you can have more information on single herbs. Each thesis will tell the history, location, chemical constituent, medicinal qualities, contra-indications, some herbal formulas using that herb, dosages and applications, and personal experiences with those herbs.
5. Recipes -Everyone loves recipes and here is a great resource from breakfast and main dishes to snack, soups and of course desserts. Yummy!!
6. About Us - gives you some information about Dr. John R. Christopher and David Christopher.
7. Herbal Education -This gives you information about the School of Natural Healing and the times the general public can call and talk to a Master Herbalist for answers to health questions.

I love Herballegacy.com it has so much information on one site and so convenient to use. Have fun on the site and let us know what helped you most or send us some of your testimonials.

Have a Happy and Healthy Day!!!

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